Common NameWhite Ibis
Scientific NameEudocimus Albus
Type of ReportRare Species
Date of Observation08/21/2025
Number Observed2
Reporting Observer's NameMerrie Perron
Mailing Address645 Hand Road
North Ferrisburgh, Vermont 05473
United States
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EmailEmail hidden; Javascript is required.
Date Completed09/26/2025
Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers

Jim Mead

Note: After I had already seen just one at 1:45 and then two at 3:45 (I was alone at both of these times), I called Jim Mead because I wanted to confirm that they were White Ibises. He came down and we met at 5:51 and they were still there.

Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)44.2260163
Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)-73.2759089
Place NameLittle Otter Creek WMA IBA--South Slang
TownshipFerrisburgh
CountyAddison
Vermont eBird Checklist URLebird.org
Time of Day03:45 PM
Length of Time Observed15
Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)50 feet
Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)30 feet
Noteworthy Weather Conditions

77º F, North wind 7-10 mph, sunny with blue skies about 5% clouds.

Optical Equipment Used for Observation

Nikon Monarch 78 x 42 8º
Canon Powershot SX70 HS

Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species

I had never seen White Ibis before, but have seen Glossy Ibis before in Maine and Vermont.

I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event​​.
Description of Habitat

Cattail marsh with lily pads on a mudflat , low water level, SW side of Hawkins Road.

Behaviors Observed

Feeding by walking around and probing continuously. Wood ducks, Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets nearby, but they were not bothered by their presence. They didn't seem to care that I was observing them.

Description of Vocalizations

Did not hear them vocalize at all.

Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation

Saw two brown and white birds with a long decurved bill probing in the lily pad mud flats constantly.

Relative Size & Shape

Large wading bird about the same size as a Glossy Ibis

Head

Very pale brown/beige head and neck

Feet & Bill

Bill was long and decurved and kind of orange colored. Legs were more of a defused orange.

Upper Back

Brown

Lower Back & Rump

Lower back was brown, did not see the rump

Wings

The wings at rest were brown. Never saw the underwing.

Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts

All the above items were white

Tail

Tail tip was dark and not very long.

IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different?

They were of a similar size of a Glossy Ibis or a White-faced Ibis, but neither of these juvenile species has a white belly.

Other Notes & Comments

These were both Juveniles and one was larger than the other. Could not determine sex.

This report was written from notes taken:Written from Memory